In June, I wrote this in a letter to the President:«I did not vote for you. Either time. I have votedRepublican for the entirety of my life. I proudlywore pins and planted banners displaying myRepublican loyalty. I was very vocal in myopposition to you -- particularly the ACA. BeforeI briefly explain my story allow me to first saythis: I am so very sorry. I was so very wrong.«You saved my life. My President, you savedmy life, and I am eternally grateful.«I have a ‘pre-existing condition’ and so couldnever purchase health insurance. Only after theACA came into being could I be covered. Putsimply to not take up too much of your time if youare in fact taking the time to read this: I wouldnot be alive without access to care I receiveddue to your law. Thank you for serving me evenwhen I didn’t vote for you. Thank you for beingmy President.»The Affordable Care Act saved my life. I cannow say, after several surgeries, that I’m inrecovery from what was a serious autoimmunedisease. Kicked it to the curb.That is why I am so excited to welcome PresidentObama to Milwaukee. Today, he’ll congratulatethe people of Milwaukee on helping deliver thesame health care that saved my life to so manyin their community. Tune in to watch his speechat 2:50 p.m. Eastern.Before the Affordable Care Act, I was unableto pay for an incredibly expensive drug thathelps to stabilize my condition. So, becauseI was too poor to pay thousands of dollars formedicine every few weeks, my hospital trips wereemergency ones, to keep me from dying. Therewas absolutely no hope -- and I was quicklyrunning out of money.Like many fellow patients, I was stuck betweenpaying what I couldn’t afford and going withoutthe health care I needed.Then the President signed this bill. I wasagainst it at first -- very against it. But withthe Affordable Care Act, I was finally able toreceive the quality of care that had eluded mefor years. I was able to consult the top surgeonin my state for the particular surgery I needed. Iwas able to receive the stabilizing drug that wasalways hidden behind a doctor’s apology: «I’msorry, Mr. Brown, we have to take your financialconsiderations into account.» I was able to stayat one of the best equipped hospitals in my statefor as long as I needed, without having to worryabout checking myself out early because of costconcerns. I had hope.I saw things change after the AffordableCare Act. People who were denied treatmentbecause of exorbitant cost, well, they started toget that treatment. The millions of people whowere locked out of health insurance due to preexistingconditions were finally able to seekmedical counsel. Those who were denied accessto medications could now take them.America started to take care of her own.In just a little bit, President Obama will takethe stage to help celebrate Milwaukee’s victoryin the Healthy Communities Challenge and talkabout the progress we’ve made on health care asa nation.We deserve to live in a country where everyonehas the same access to quality care that I did.Watch the President’s speech to hear how he’smaking that happen.I’m proud to welcome him to Wisconsin.